U.S. patent application number 14/248470 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-15 for slide-in mountable fuel pump assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Champion Engine Technology, LLC. Invention is credited to James J. Dehn, Mark J. Sarder.
Application Number | 20150292452 14/248470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53810455 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150292452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sarder; Mark J. ; et
al. |
October 15, 2015 |
SLIDE-IN MOUNTABLE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A system and method for engaging a slide-in mountable fuel pump
assembly with a fan cover of an internal combustion engine is
disclosed. The fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump configured
to pump fuel from a fuel source to the engine and a mounting
bracket affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and
configured to slidingly engage a fan cover of the engine so as to
enable selective mounting and removal of the fuel pump assembly to
and from the fan cover. The mounting bracket further includes a
main plate affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and a
track formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate, with the
track configured to slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the
fan cover of the engine so as to selectively mount the fuel pump
assembly to the fan cover.
Inventors: |
Sarder; Mark J.; (Waukesha,
WI) ; Dehn; James J.; (Brookfield, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Champion Engine Technology, LLC |
Sussex |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53810455 |
Appl. No.: |
14/248470 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/41.65 ;
123/509; 29/888.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 37/04 20130101;
F02M 37/14 20130101; F02M 37/0011 20130101; F01P 5/02 20130101;
F02B 63/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02M 37/00 20060101
F02M037/00; F01P 5/02 20060101 F01P005/02; F02M 37/04 20060101
F02M037/04 |
Claims
1. A fuel pump assembly for use with an internal combustion engine,
the fuel pump assembly comprising: a fuel pump configured to pump
fuel from a fuel source to the internal combustion engine; and a
mounting bracket affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump
and configured to slidingly engage a fan cover of the engine so as
to enable selective mounting and removal of the fuel pump assembly
to and from the fan cover, wherein the mounting bracket comprises:
a main plate affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump;
and a track formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate, the
track configured to slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the
fan cover of the internal combustion engine so as to selectively
mount the fuel pump assembly to the fan cover.
2. The fuel pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the fuel pump
comprises a housing having a pair of flanges formed thereon, with
each of the pair of flanges including an opening formed
therethrough to receive a fastener, and wherein the main plate is
affixed to the fuel pump by way of fasteners received through the
openings in the pair of flanges.
3. The fuel pump assembly of claim 2 wherein the pair of flanges of
the housing are formed on the housing so as to form part of a back
surface of the fuel pump.
4. The fuel pump assembly of claim 3 wherein the fuel pump is
affixed to the mounting bracket such that the back surface of the
fuel pump is flush with the main plate of the mounting bracket.
5. The fuel pump assembly of claim 2 wherein the main plate of the
mounting bracket includes openings formed therein at locations
corresponding to locations of the pair of flanges of the housing,
such that fasteners can be positioned through the openings in the
pair of flanges and the openings in the main plate to affix the
fuel pump to the main plate.
6. The fuel pump assembly of claim 2 wherein the fasteners comprise
self-tapping sheet metal screws configured to form holes through
the main plate when threaded through the openings in the pair of
flanges of the housing, so as to affix the main plate to the fuel
pump.
7. The fuel pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the main plate of the
mounting bracket is formed integrally with the fuel pump.
8. The fuel pump assembly of claim 1 wherein the track comprises a
flange formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate, the
flanges extending out orthogonally from the main plate.
9. The fuel pump assembly of claim 8 wherein the flanges comprise
tapered flanges having a first width at a first end of the main
plate that tapers down to a second width that is less than the
first width at a second end of the main plate.
10. The fuel pump assembly of claim 8 wherein the flanges are
received in channels formed on an inner surface of the fan cover,
with the flanges slidingly engaging the channels such that the fuel
pump assembly is selectively mountable to the fan cover.
11. An internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine
comprising: a carburetor configured to regulate an amount of fuel
and air admitted into combustion cylinders of the internal
combustion engine; a fuel pump assembly configured to pump fuel
from a fuel source to the carburetor; a cooling fan configured to
cool the internal combustion engine by drawing in air and blowing
it onto the internal combustion engine; and a fan cover positioned
to enclose the cooling fan and having an outer surface and an inner
surface, the inner surface of the fan cover including a mounting
feature configured to slidingly engage the fuel pump assembly so as
to enable selective mounting and removal of the fuel pump assembly
to and from the fan cover.
12. The internal combustion engine of claim 11 wherein the fuel
pump assembly comprises: a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from
the fuel source to the internal combustion engine; and a mounting
bracket affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and
configured to slidingly engage the mounting feature on the fan
cover, the mounting bracket including: a main plate affixable to
formed integrally with the fuel pump; and a pair of flanges formed
on opposing sides of the main plate that are configured to
slidingly engage the mating feature on the fan cover.
13. The internal combustion engine of claim 12 wherein the flanges
comprise tapered flanges having a first width at a first end of the
main plate that tapers down to a second width that is less than the
first width at a second end of the main plate.
14. The internal combustion engine of claim 12 wherein the mating
feature on the fan cover comprises channels formed on the inner
surface of the fan cover, with the pair of flanges slidingly
engaging the channels such that the fuel pump assembly is
selectively mountable to the fan cover.
15. The internal combustion engine of claim 12 wherein the fuel
pump includes a housing having a pair of protrusions formed therein
that each include an opening formed therein to receive a fastener,
and wherein the main plate is affixed to the fuel pump by way of
fasteners received through the openings in the pair of
protrusions.
16. The internal combustion engine of claim 15 wherein the main
plate includes openings formed therein at locations corresponding
to locations of the openings formed in the pair of protrusions,
such that fasteners can be positioned through the openings in the
pair of protrusions and the openings in the main plate to secure
the fuel pump to the mounting bracket.
17. The internal combustion engine of claim 15 wherein the
fasteners comprise self-tapping sheet metal screws configured to
form holes through the main plate when threaded through the
openings in the pair of protrusions, so as to secure the fuel pump
to the mounting bracket.
18. The internal combustion engine of claim 11 wherein the fan
cover comprises a V-shaped cover generally matching a configuration
of the internal combustion engine, the V-shaped cover comprising: a
center region having a plurality of air intake holes through which
a flow of cooling air is drawn in; and a pair of outer regions
extending outwardly from the center region in a V-shaped
arrangement; wherein one of the pair of outer regions includes the
mounting feature formed on the inner surface thereof.
19. The internal combustion engine of claim 11 wherein the fuel
pump assembly comprises a quick-disconnect fuel pump assembly that
is mounted to the fan cover without the use of separate
fasteners.
20. A method for securing a fuel pump assembly in an internal
combustion engine, the method comprising: providing an internal
combustion engine that includes a cooling fan configured to provide
cooling during operation thereof and a fan cover positioned over
the cooling fan, the fan cover having an inner surface that
includes a mounting channel formed thereon; providing a fuel pump
configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the internal
combustion engine, the fuel pump comprising a housing having a pair
of protrusions formed thereon each including an opening formed
therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener; affixing a
mounting bracket to the fuel pump by threading fasteners through
the openings in the pair of protrusions such that the fasteners
engage the mounting bracket, with the fuel pump and mounting
collectively forming a fuel pump assembly; and sliding the mounting
bracket into the mounting channel formed on the inner surface of
the fan cover, such that the fuel pump assembly is mounted on the
fan cover of the engine free of the use of any fasteners.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the mounting bracket comprises a
pair of flanges formed on opposing sides thereof, and wherein
sliding the mounting bracket into the mounting channel comprises
slidingly engaging the pair of flanges of the mounting bracket with
the mounting channel of the fan cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to internal
combustion engines and, more particularly, to a slide-in mountable
fuel pump that is engaged with a fan cover of the engine to enable
easy attaching and detaching of the fuel pump.
[0002] General purpose internal combustion engines used as prime
movers in power generators, lawn mowers, power washers and various
other applications often use a fuel pumps and associated charge
former (e.g., carburetor or fuel injector) to supply fuel to the
engine. The fuel pump is installed or interposed in a fuel supply
pipe connecting the fuel tank with the charge former, and the fuel
pump is typically mounted on the engine in a semi-permanent
fashion. That is, the fuel pump is typically affixed to/within the
engine via the use of screws or other hardware that require the use
of tools to affix and remove the fuel pump.
[0003] The semi-permanent mounting of the fuel pump with the engine
secures the pump properly for operation, and prevents displacement
thereof--as might occur due to movement of the engine and/or
standard operation of the engine. However, in a situation where a
fuel pump breakdown occurs and a timely removal and replacement of
the pump is required, such semi-permanent mounting of the fuel pump
can lead to a lengthy removal and replacement process.
Additionally, if the fuel pump breakdown occurs in a setting where
tools necessary for removal are not readily available, then removal
and replacement of the fuel pump may not be easily achievable.
[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an internal
combustion engine having a quick disconnect fuel pump. It would
further be desirable for such a quick disconnect fuel pump to be
removable and mountable on the engine without the use of
semi-permanent fasteners or tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a fuel pump
assembly for use with an internal combustion engine includes a fuel
pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the internal
combustion engine and a mounting bracket affixed to or formed
integrally with the fuel pump and configured to slidingly engage a
fan cover of the engine so as to enable selective mounting and
removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover,
wherein the mounting bracket further includes a main plate affixed
to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and a track formed on
each of opposing sides of the main plate, the track configured to
slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the fan cover of the
internal combustion engine so as to selectively mount the fuel pump
assembly to the fan cover.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
internal combustion engine includes a carburetor configured to
regulate an amount of fuel and air admitted into combustion
cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a fuel pump assembly
configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the carburetor, a
cooling fan configured to cool the internal combustion engine by
drawing in air and blowing it onto the internal combustion engine,
and a fan cover positioned to enclose the cooling fan and having an
outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the fan
cover including a mounting feature configured to slidingly engage
the fuel pump assembly so as to enable selective mounting and
removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
method for securing a fuel pump assembly in an internal combustion
engine includes providing an internal combustion engine that
includes a cooling fan configured to provide cooling during
operation thereof and a fan cover positioned over the cooling fan,
the fan cover having an inner surface that includes a mounting
channel formed thereon. The method also includes providing a fuel
pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the internal
combustion engine, the fuel pump comprising a housing having a pair
of protrusions formed thereon each including an opening formed
therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener. The method
further includes affixing a mounting bracket to the fuel pump by
threading fasteners through the openings in the pair of protrusions
such that the fasteners engage the mounting bracket, with the fuel
pump and mounting collectively forming a fuel pump assembly. The
method still further includes sliding the mounting bracket into the
mounting channel formed on the inner surface of the fan cover, such
that the fuel pump assembly is mounted on the fan cover of the
engine free of the use of any fasteners.
[0008] These and other advantages and features will be more readily
understood from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments of the invention that is provided in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The drawings illustrate embodiments presently contemplated
for carrying out the invention.
[0010] In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a generator useable with embodiments of
the invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views of an internal combustion engine,
with and without a fan cover and other associated covers included,
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a fan cover included in the
internal combustion engine of FIGS. 2 and 3, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views of a fuel pump assembly for use with
the internal combustion engine of FIGS. 2 and 3, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a view of the fuel pump assembly of FIGS. 5 and 6
mating with the fan cover of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view of a fuel pump assembly for use with the
internal combustion engine of FIGS. 2 and 3, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a fuel pump
assembly mounted to an internal combustion engine, with the fuel
pump assembly being constructed as a quick disconnect fuel pump
that is removable and mountable on the engine without the use of
semi-permanent fasteners or tools. It is recognized that the fuel
pump assembly may be incorporated into an internal combustion
engine used as a prime mover in any of a number of various
applications, including but not limited to engines in power
generators, lawn mowers, and power washers, for example. While an
embodiment of the invention is described below as being
incorporated into a power generator, it is to be understood that
such a disclosure is not meant to be limiting, and that the scope
of the invention is meant to encompass any suitable application in
which a general purpose internal combustion engine can benefit from
incorporation of a fuel pump assembly as shown and described
herein.
[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1, a generator 10 is illustrated as
one example of a device that can benefit from incorporation of
embodiments of the invention. In general, generator 10 includes an
engine assembly 12 that includes an internal combustible engine 14
operatively connected to an alternator 16 in a conventional manner,
such as through a common shaft. A fuel source 18 is connected to
the internal combustible engine 14 for supplying fuel thereto, with
the fuel used by the internal combustible engine 14 being any of a
number of suitable fuels, including gasoline for example. In
operation, a fuel and air mixture is provided to the internal
combustible engine 14 and is ignited so as to cause the engine to
generate mechanical that drives the alternator 16. As is
conventional, the driven alternator 16 generates electrical
power.
[0019] A more detailed view of an internal combustible engine 14
that might be incorporated into generator 10 (or alternatively into
a lawn mower, power washer, or other similar suitable
device/system) is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, according to an
embodiment of the invention. As best seen in FIG. 2--with covers
and other components of the engine removed for purposes of
clarity--the internal combustible engine 14 includes a collection
of pistons that are slideably received within corresponding
cylinders thereof, collectively indicated as 20, with each cylinder
further including an intake valve (not shown) for admitting a
fuel-air mixture and an exhaust valve (not shown) for venting
exhaust gases following combustion. The fuel-air mixture is
provided by a carburetor 22 that includes a movable throttle, with
a position of the throttle regulating the amount of fuel and air
admitted into the cylinders and thus the speed and power developed
by the engine 14 when the air-fuel mixture is ignited to generate
reciprocal movement of the pistons.
[0020] For providing fuel to the carburetor 22, a fuel pump
assembly 24 is provided that is positioned on a fuel path 26
between the fuel source 18 (FIG. 1) and carburetor 22 and
downstream of a fuel filter 28 configured to remove any impurities
from the fuel prior to reaching the fuel pump assembly. The fuel
pump assembly 24 functions to pump fuel from fuel source 18 to the
carburetor 22 so as to enable a proper mixing of fuel and air for
combustion in the engine cylinders. According to embodiments of the
present invention, the fuel pump assembly 24 is configured as a
quick disconnect fuel pump assembly 24 that is mountable with/to
the engine 14--and removable from the engine--in a quick and easy
fashion without the use of semi-permanent fasteners or tools, as
will be described in greater detail below.
[0021] Also included in internal combustible engine 14 is a cooling
fan 30 that is provided for cooling the engine 10. The cooling fan
30 operates to draw-in air and blow it onto the engine 14 during
operation thereof in a known fashion. As shown in FIG. 3, the
cooling fan 30 is enclosed by a fan cover 32--with additional
covers, generally indicated as 34, also being provided to cover
other components of the internal combustion engine. The fan cover
32 is shaped to match a profile of the engine 14 and as such has a
generally V-shaped profile or configuration. As a result, the fan
cover 32 includes a center region 36 as well as a pair of outer
regions 38 that extend outwardly from the center region 36 in a
V-shaped arrangement. The center region 36 of the fan cover 32 is
positioned near the cooling fan 30 of the engine 14 and includes an
arrangement of air intake holes 40 formed therein through which a
flow of cooling air is drawn in to cool the engine 14 during
operation. The outer regions 38 of the fan cover 32 extending
upwardly and outwardly from the center region 36.
[0022] In general, the fan cover 32 is constructed with an outer
surface 42 and inner surface 44 that provide desirable functional
and aesthetic characteristics to the engine, with the inner surface
44 being constructed to enable positioning of the fan cover 32 over
the cooling fan and other components of the engine. Additionally,
according to embodiments of the invention, the inner surface 44 of
the fan cover 32 is further constructed so as to enable mounting of
the fuel pump assembly 24 thereto. The inner surface 44 of the fan
cover 32 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and, as shown therein, includes a
mating feature 46 formed into the inner surface 44 that enables
mounting of the fuel pump assembly 24 to the fan cover 32. The
mating feature 46 is formed in one of the outer regions 38 of the
fan cover 32, such that mounting of the fuel pump assembly 24 to
the inner surface 44 of the fan cover 32 does not interfere with
positioning of the fan cover 32 over the cooling fan 30 of the
engine 14.
[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
mating feature 46 is in the form of a pair of channels 48 that are
formed on the inner surface 44 of the fan cover 32, with the
channels 48 configured to receive features of the fuel pump
assembly 24 therein in a sliding engagement so as to secure the
fuel pump assembly 24 to the fan cover 32. As the fan cover 32 is
fabricated of a material such as resin or other polymer that may be
manufactured via an injection molding process, for example, the
channels 48 may be integrally formed into the inner surface 44 of
the fan cover 32 rather than being a separately formed/attached
component. While the mating feature 46 is described here above as
being in the form of channels 48, it is recognized that the mating
feature may have a different construction that would enable sliding
or snapping engagement of the fuel pump assembly 24 to the fan
cover 32, such that the fuel pump assembly 24 can be mounted to the
fan cover 32 without the use of semi-permanent fasteners or tools
(i.e., a quick disconnect fuel pump assembly).
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, detailed views of the fuel pump
assembly 24--and of its mounting to fan cover 32--are shown
according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 5
and 6, fuel pump assembly 24 includes two separate components in
the form of a fuel pump 50 and a mounting bracket 52. The fuel pump
50 is a pump having a known construction and functionality and
generally includes a housing 53 enclosing a pumping mechanism (not
shown) and a plurality of input and output attachments, generally
indicated as 54, for connecting the fuel pump 50 to a fuel path 26
of the engine 14, such that the fuel pump 50 can receive fuel from
the fuel source 18 (FIG. 1) and pump the fuel to the carburetor 22.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing 53 of
fuel pump 50 includes a pair of protrusions or flanges 56 formed
thereon that provide for affixing of the fuel pump 50 to the
mounting bracket 52. The protrusions 56 are formed on the housing
53 so as to be positioned at a bottom portion thereof and thus form
part of a back surface 58 of the fuel pump 50. Each of the
protrusions 56 includes a threaded opening 60 formed therethrough
that is configured to receive a fastener 62--such as a screw of a
desired type and size--that provides for securing of the fuel pump
50 to the mounting bracket 52.
[0025] The mounting bracket 52 of fuel pump assembly 24 is formed
to generally include what can be described as a "main plate" and a
"track", indicated as 64, 66, respectively. The main plate 64 is a
flat planar surface that provides a proper surface for securing of
the fuel pump 50 to the mounting bracket 52 such that the back
surface 58 of the fuel pump (and the protrusions 56 thereon) can be
made flush with the main plate 64 of the mounting bracket 52.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the main
plate 64 is constructed to include a pair of openings 68 pre-formed
therein, with the openings 68 having a spacing and locations
corresponding to the locations of the protrusions 56 of the
housing, such that the openings 60 in the protrusions 56 can be
aligned with the openings 68 in the main plate 64 so as to enable
fasteners 62 to be threaded through the protrusion openings 60 and
down through the main plate openings 68. It is recognized, however,
that other embodiments of the invention might incorporate a
mounting bracket 52 having a main plate 64 that does not include
openings pre-formed therein, and that self-tapping screws could be
threaded down through the protrusion openings 60 and screw through
the main plate 64 (i.e., forming openings) to affix the fuel pump
50 to the mounting bracket 52.
[0026] As indicated above, the mounting bracket 52 also includes a
track 66 formed thereon, and this track 66 enables the fuel pump
assembly 24 to be mounted on the fan cover 32. The track 66 is
formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate 64 and is
configured to engage the mating feature 46 formed on the fan cover
32, so as to provide for selective mounting and removal of the fuel
pump assembly 24 to/from the fan cover 32. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, the track 66 is constructed
as flanges formed on opposing sides of the main plate 64, with the
flanges 66 extending out orthogonally from the main plate 64. As
shown in FIG. 5, the flanges 66 may be formed as tapered flanges
having a first width (indicated as 70) at a first end of the main
plate 64 that tapers down to a second width (indicated as 72) at a
second end of the main plate 64. Alternatively, the flanges 66 may
have a uniform width along a length of the main plate 64.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 7, the mounting of the fuel pump
assembly 24 to fan cover 32 is shown in greater detail. According
to an exemplary embodiment, the fuel pump assembly 24 is mounted to
the fan cover 32 by sliding the track/flanges 66 of the mounting
bracket 52 into the mounting channels 48 formed on the inner
surface 44 of the fan cover 32. The sliding engagement of the
mounting bracket 52 into channels 48 thus secures the fuel pump
assembly 24 to the fan cover 32 such that, upon reattachment of the
fan cover 32 to the engine 14, any displacement of the fuel pump
assembly 24 is prevented. In such a manner, the fuel pump assembly
24 is mounted on the fan cover 32 of the engine 14 free of the use
of any separate fasteners, such that a quick-disconnect fuel pump
assembly 24 is provided for the engine. In the event that a
breakdown of the fuel pump 50 occurs, the fuel pump assembly 24 may
be easily removed and replaced by sliding the fuel pump assembly 24
out from the fan cover 32, without any tools being required for
performing such removal.
[0028] While the fuel pump assembly 24 is shown and described in
FIGS. 5 and 6 as including a mounting bracket 52 that is separate
from fuel pump 50 and that is secured thereto by way of fasteners
62 that extend through openings 60 in the protrusions 56 and
openings 68 in the main plate 64 of the mounting bracket 52, it is
recognized that alternative constructions of the fuel pump assembly
24 are also envisioned. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a fuel
pump assembly 74 may be provided having a mounting bracket 76
formed integrally with the fuel pump 50. More specifically, the
main plate 78 of the mounting bracket 76 is molded into the bottom
portion of the fuel pump 50 (i.e., molded with the back surface 58
of fuel pump 50). In such an embodiment, it is recognized that the
protrusions 56 of the fuel pump 50 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are not
necessary for securing the fuel pump 50 to the mounting bracket
76--as no fasteners are needed--and may thus be removed.
[0029] Beneficially, embodiments of the invention thus provide a
quick disconnect fuel pump for use in a general purpose internal
combustion engine such as might be found in an electrical
generator, lawn mower, or power washer, for example. The quick
disconnect fuel pump in mounted to the fan cover of the engine via
a sliding engagement with channels formed in the fan cover, such
that the fuel pump is removable and mountable on the engine without
the use of semi-permanent fasteners or tools.
[0030] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, a
fuel pump assembly for use with an internal combustion engine
includes a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to
the internal combustion engine and a mounting bracket affixed to or
formed integrally with the fuel pump and configured to slidingly
engage a fan cover of the engine so as to enable selective mounting
and removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover,
wherein the mounting bracket further includes a main plate affixed
to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and a track formed on
each of opposing sides of the main plate, the track configured to
slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the fan cover of the
internal combustion engine so as to selectively mount the fuel pump
assembly to the fan cover.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, an
internal combustion engine includes a carburetor configured to
regulate an amount of fuel and air admitted into combustion
cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a fuel pump assembly
configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the carburetor, a
cooling fan configured to cool the internal combustion engine by
drawing in air and blowing it onto the internal combustion engine,
and a fan cover positioned to enclose the cooling fan and having an
outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the fan
cover including a mounting feature configured to slidingly engage
the fuel pump assembly so as to enable selective mounting and
removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover.
[0032] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a
method for securing a fuel pump assembly in an internal combustion
engine includes providing an internal combustion engine that
includes a cooling fan configured to provide cooling during
operation thereof and a fan cover positioned over the cooling fan,
the fan cover having an inner surface that includes a mounting
channel formed thereon. The method also includes providing a fuel
pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the internal
combustion engine, the fuel pump comprising a housing having a pair
of protrusions formed thereon each including an opening formed
therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener. The method
further includes affixing a mounting bracket to the fuel pump by
threading fasteners through the openings in the pair of protrusions
such that the fasteners engage the mounting bracket, with the fuel
pump and mounting collectively forming a fuel pump assembly. The
method still further includes sliding the mounting bracket into the
mounting channel formed on the inner surface of the fan cover, such
that the fuel pump assembly is mounted on the fan cover of the
engine free of the use of any fasteners.
[0033] While the invention has been described in connection with
only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily
understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed
embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate
any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent
arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while
various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to
be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some
of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to
be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only
limited by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *